July 2018 Meeting for Members, Friends and Guests

The July Quarterly Meeting was held on the 14th July and was attended by 48 members and guests who were welcomed by Shelagh Gaylard and which was followed by her report on the activities of the last three months. These included a visit to Ryde Fire Station, a Bat Walk which only one bat decided to make an appearance at and the well attended RSHG annual open days at Ryde Cemetery on 9 – 10 of June. Further reports were made on Membership which increased to an all-time high of 94 on the day, Finances and also Research which now has well in excess of 20,000 records. Kate gave the Mapping and Transcribing report on behalf of Carol. Updates on the ‘Lost Children Project’ now numbering over 600 children identified in unmarked plots; work at adding and amending records for Ashey Cemetery; location and updating of graves and memorials to those lost in the First World War.

Following the break for the raffle and refreshments Mark Earp gave an interesting and entertaining presentation entitled “Victoria. The expected and the unexpected” The talk was full of interesting and often amusing incidents involving Island people and the Queen and included references to the Island born man who became radicalised, joined the Fenians and spent the rest of his life plotting to assassinate Victoria. On a lighter note there was the a lady in Bonchurch who had a tunnel built to her house in preparation for a royal visit which never materialised.